Politics

Tim Thomas, Marcelle Adkins, Mark Lightner qualify in SD 19 as Debbie Mayfield, Gabriel Goddard booted from ballot

Published

3 hours ago

February 5, 2025

The Secretary of State set the field for a Special Election to determine who succeeds outgoing state Sen. Randy Fine in Senate District 19, with some of Fine’s former nemeses drawn into the battle. But qualification didn’t pass by without some high-stakes ramifications as term limits enforcement appeared to reshape the field.

The biggest shock came as the Department of State disqualified state rep. Debbie Mayfield, a Melbourne Republican who previously held the Senate seat until November last year. She had announced her candidacy in November and already resigned the House District 32 seat she won last year. She could not run for another Senate term in 2024 due to term limits, but many Republican consultants believe that only applies to consecutive years of service.

A big surprise on Tuesday came with the late entry of former Melbourne City Council member Tim Thomas, who filed last year to challenge Fine for the Senate seat but did not make the ballot. Thomas in June told Florida Today he had opted against a run after a conversation with Senate leadership, though the Division of Elections website showed he did not qualify.

Thomas last year was widely seen as a candidate favored by Gov. Ron DeSantis over Fine, who publicly criticized the Governor and changed his presidential endorsement from DeSantis to Donald Trump. Thomas filed for the seat hours before the noon qualification deadline. Mayfield also notably changed her endorsement from DeSantis to Trump in late 2023, who in turn endorsed Mayfield for House.

Thomas had been expected to file in House District 32, Mayfield’s House seat, but switched his candidacy to Senate Wednesday morning amid talk of whether Mayfield can run because of term limits, talk that proved to be fruitful as Mayfield god booted from the race. Importantly, the deadline for a Special Election to replace Mayfield in the House District she left doesn’t come until noon on Wednesday, which still leaves the opportunity for Senate candidates living in that district to shift to that race instead, including possibly Mayfield.

Thomas wasn’t the only late entry into the SD 19 contest.

Marcie Adkins, who challenged Fine for his House seat in 2020, also jumped into the Republican Primary the morning of qualification. The Grant Valkaria Republican engaged in a vicious Primary against a then-incumbent House member that included accusations of anti-Semitism on the part of Adkins. She also ran unsuccessfully in 2024 for Brevard County Republican Committeewoman.

On Monday, Mark Lightner III, a University of North Florida business graduate and Brevard County native, also filed for the seat. He promised in campaign videos to engage more young conservatives in the process.

Democrat Vance Ahrens, who Fine defeated for the seat in November, has also filed again for the seat. Ahrens, if elected, would be the first transgender member of the Florida Legislature. She won the Democratic nomination in the Special Election without opposition.

Adkins, Lightner and Thomas will face off in a Republican Primary on April 1. The winner advances to the June 10 Special General Election against Ahrens.

In addition to disqualifying Mayfield, the Department of State also disqualified Gabriel Goddard, executive director of the Space Walk of Fame Foundation, who filed for the seat as a Republican. He previously ran for Congress in Florida’s 8th Congressional District as a Democrat. He serves on the National Space Society’s board of directors. This election, he submitted a check to qualify received by the state one minute before the qualification deadline.

The seat opened when Fine resigned to run for Congress. Fine won a Republican Primary in Florida’s 6th Congressional District on Jan. 28, and faces Democrat Josh Weil in an April 1 Special Election.

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Politics

Florida ports are 12% of state GDP, add $196B to state economy

Published

26 minutes ago

February 5, 2025

May Greene

With hurricanes increasing in intensity and frequency, ports are more important now than ever, supporters say.

Florida’s 16 seaports represent a sizable chunk of the state’s $1.6 trillion gross domestic product (GDP).

New economic data from the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) shows shipping in and out of the state’s ports now accounts for 12.2% of the Florida GDP, according to a new study published by the Florida Ports Council.

“As Florida’s population continues growing, robust investments in seaport infrastructure is essential for maintaining a strong supply chain. Modern ports, combined with our efficient operations, enables smooth cargo movement, while also minimizing delays and disruptions in the delivery of goods supporting Florida’s economic stability,” Florida Ports Council President and CEO Mike Rubin said.

Petroleum products and aviation fuel, which now is the largest import category in the state, account for $32.6 billion in imports.

The import and export of food, such as vegetables and perishables, now accounts for $9.9 billion of the GDP, while medical equipment and pharmaceuticals bring in $1.5 billion and furnishings for businesses and homes amount to $1.1 billion. Another $600 million is attributed to cement and similar materials coming in and out of the ports.

In total, the 16 ports contribute $196 billion to the state economy while accounting for 1.2 million jobs and $7.4 billion in state and local taxes.

With some of the massive natural disasters Florida has had to contend with in the past several years, port supporters say now is the time to acknowledge the indispensable nature of the facilities.

“As Chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, I can attest that back-to-back hurricanes have made it as important as ever to help Floridians get back on their feet. As Floridians continue their recovery process, furnishing their homes will be an important step in getting things back to normal. Florida imports more than $1 billion in furnishings annually, and we appreciate the important work of the Florida Ports Council, and we trust Florida’s reliable seaports to deliver those furnishings into the Sunshine State,” said Keith Koenig, CEO of CITY Furniture.

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Politics

Tom Leek bill seeks to name and shame animal abusers

Published

57 minutes ago

February 5, 2025

May Greene

Floridians who commit animal cruelty won’t have anywhere to hide if a new bill from Sen. Tom Leek becomes law.

SB 494 would compel the Department of Law Enforcement to post on its website in a searchable format the names of people convicted of animal cruelty and those who pleaded guilty or no contest to the same.

If passed and signed, the law would be effective July 1, with implementation required by Jan. 1, 2026.

Florida Statute defines a person who commits animal cruelty in a couple of different ways.

Someone found guilty of animal cruelty as a first degree misdemeanor is one who “unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner.”

Meanwhile, a “person who intentionally commits an act to any animal, or a person who owns or has the custody or control of any animal and fails to act, which results in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes the same to be done, commits aggravated animal cruelty, a felony of the third degree.”

The statute as written specifically addresses equine abuse. A person who “intentionally trips, fells, ropes, or lassos the legs of a horse by any means for the purpose of entertainment or sport commits a felony of the third degree.”

Animal abuse continues to be in the crosshairs of the Florida Legislature this year after Floridians were shocked last year by the story of a dog that would come to be known as Trooper, who was tied to a pole as Hurricane Milton approached last year and rescued by a member of the state Highway Patrol.

SB 150, filed by Sen. Don Gaetz, holds that a “person who during a state of emergency … in an area included in the state of emergency” commits “animal cruelty … commits a felony of the third degree.”

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Valentine’s Day shopping to break records, not hearts this year

Published

1 hour ago

February 5, 2025

May Greene

More Floridians are expected to buy gifts for loved ones this year than ever before.

Love is in the air and Floridians will be breathing it in on Valentine’s Day this year, if sales expectations are any indication. The most romantic day of the year this Feb. 14^th will also be profitable for businesses in the Sunshine State.

The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) projects a record number of people in the state plan to celebrate cupid’s holiday in some way this year. About 56% of Floridians will buy make a Valentine’s Day purchase to show their affection for a significant other, up three percentage points from last year.

All that love will amount to an estimated $14.6 billion in spending across the country, a record according to a National Retail Federation (NRF) survey recently published. Gifts for family members and to the windfall, with another $4.3 billion spent.

“Consumers across the state are breaking records all around this Valentine’s Day with many planning to show their love through gifting to significant others, family and friends,” FRF President and CEO Scott Shalley said. “Don’t forget to show some love to your Florida retailers (with) ‘Find It In Florida‘ while shopping this Valentine’s Day season. Florida retailers are stocked and ready to help shoppers find the perfect Valentine’s Day gifts.”

Across American, the total amount to be spent on Valentine’s Day is expected to reach $27.5 billion, another record that’s up from $25.8 billion last year just slightly over the previous Valentine’s Day spending record of $27.4 billion set in 2020.

The NRF projects each person in America buying Valentine’s Day gifts will spend about $188.81 each, up $3 from last year.

The most common Valentine’s Day gift is candy, with 56% of shoppers reporting that as an expected purchase. Another 40% say they’ll purchase flowers or greeting cards, while 35% say they’ll take their loved one out for dinner or entertainment. Another 22% say they’ll buy jewelry.

In Florida, 38% of Valentine’s Day shoppers say they’ll buy gifts online, while 34% say they’ll go to department stores and 29% plan to bargain shop at discount stores.

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